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Mental Health Primary

Treatment for mental health in New Orleans is a considerable need. According to NAMI, “In our four-parish service area Orleans, Jefferson, St. Bernard, and Plaquemines there are approximately 75,000 people whose lives are affected by mental illness.” Considering the needs of the New Orleans area, obtaining a greater education concerning mental health issues can be important. Understanding present symptoms and treatments that are available are a starting point. Reaching out for help is the most important step in recovery.

Woman receiving care for mental health New Orleans

Common Mental Health Illnesses

Common mental health illnesses or conditions can be experienced singularly or together. Often, depression is experienced with anxiety disorder or an eating disorder can be experienced with any of the other mental illnesses. Mental health in New Orleans is of great concern and breaking stigma through a better understanding of mental health is a priority for the mental health community. Self education with reading about the different mental illnesses is a great head start in understanding.

Depression

In 2020 at least 8.4% of the population had experienced at least one depressive episode, according to NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness). Depression is considerably more serious than experiencing feelings of sadness. Those experiencing problems with their mental health in New Orleans may be experiencing depression. Depression is a mental illness with extreme symptoms if left untreated can lead to devastating results.

When reaching out for help with mental illness in New Orleans, finding a reason for the symptoms being experienced can be daunting and confusing on your own. Stigma can cause false beliefs concerning depression.

Causes of depression could be a single situation of trauma, genetics, life situations, family history, brain chemical changes, medical conditions, substance abuse, or a combination of problems. Symptoms of Depression can include:

  • Considerable difficulties in performing daily activities for at least two weeks
  • Changes in eating and sleeping habits
  • Lack of interest in normal activities and feeling less energy or lethargy
  • Inability to concentrate
  • Suicidal thoughts

Anxiety Disorders

Anxiety is normal. Everyone has anxiety from time to time, but it’s controllable. When fear and anxiety become overwhelming and out of control, it could be based in an anxiety disorder. Mental illness in New Orleans might include the experience of anxiety disorders, but treatment options are available. Professionals believe anxiety disorders stem from genetics and environmental factors. NAMI reports that 19.1% of Americans experience an anxiety disorder. 

Anxiety disorders are classified into four major conditions:

  1. Generalized Anxiety Disorder: chronic anxiety over everyday life
  2. Social Anxiety Disorder: chronic anxiety from social situations
  3. Panic Disorder: severe anxiety causes physical pain like a heart attack with difficulty in breathing
  4. Phobias: Excessive fears and anxiety over specific entities

Symptoms of anxiety disorders are emotional and physical including:

  • Feelings of apprehension/dread, tension, jumpiness, irritability, and restlessness
  • Expression of negativity in thinking the worst is going to happen, hypervigilance
  • Stomach upsets, sweating, tremors, twitching, racing heartbeat, and shortness of breath
  • Sleep issues, headaches, lack of energy

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

Mental illness in New Orleans includes obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) experienced by 1.2% of Americans according to NAMI’s statistical outline for mental illnesses. Symptoms include repetitive acts, labeled compulsions, and obsessions, which are the driving force of the compulsions. It’s a cycle of obsessing and relief by acting out compulsively. Symptoms can begin in childhood or teenage years and this mental illness occurs more in males. Treatment can alleviate and control the behaviors of those experiencing OCD.

Causes of obsessive-compulsive disorder are believed to stem from the brain’s reaction to serotonin. There is a chemical problem in the brain that changes normal thought processes. This mental illness shows in 25% of those who have a family member who also experiences OCD. Mental illness in New Orleans includes those experiencing OCD. Treatments include medication therapy and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy.

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder

Post-traumatic stress disorder, (PTSD) is a mental illness caused by the experience of traumatic events, such as combat, accidents, assault, or disaster situations. 36% of the American public experience PTSD, with women having more cases than men. Military combat triggers many cases. PTSD often occurs with a co-occurring mental illness or substance abuse. Mental illness in New Orleans includes PTSD and its highly identifiable trigger, the fight-or-flight biological instinct to protect or save. This instinct releases chemicals in the body that cause fast breathing, increased heartbeat, and energy to flee from the imposed danger.

Symptoms revolve around the traumatic event experienced and cause an individual to relive the traumatic event and associated memories over and over again. Avoidance behaviors result as a protective agency from triggering those traumatic memories. Out-of-body feelings, numbness, depression, and negative thinking often occur with this mental illness. PTSD often appears with depression, anxiety disorders, and substance abuse disorders with drugs or alcohol being chosen as coping mechanisms from the memories and intrusive thoughts. Those experiencing this mental illness in New Orleans can count on finding our services for treatment very beneficial.

We live in a difficult world now, but fortunately educators are continually cutting the stigma surrounding mental illness. New discoveries in the field of mental illness are being documented regularly. Treatments are being realized that change the face of successful recovery and maintenance of experiencing these conditions. The above-mentioned mental illnesses are most common, but mental illness in New Orleans can include other conditions such as:

  • Borderline Personality Disorder
  • Bipolar Disorder
  • Eating Disorders
  • Dissociative Disorders
  • Schizophrenia

How Are Mental Health Illnesses Treated in New Orleans?

Mental illness in New Orleans inspires many possible treatment options for those in need of assessment and evaluations. Medical and mental health professionals often work together to determine the all important diagnosis before an individual treatment plan can be designed. Treatment options will differ in each personal case depending on the mental illness being treated and the severity of the symptoms involved.

Psychotherapies:

Includes Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Therapy (EMDR), Exposure Therapy, Interpersonal Therapy, Mentalization Based Therapy (MBT), Psychodynamic Psychotherapy, Therapy Pets

Medical Assisted Treatment (MAT):

Pharmaceuticals prescribed for severe symptoms of a mental illness or substance abuse disorder are commonly used in combination with other forms of therapy or therapies.

Psychoeducation and Support Groups:

Psychoeducation therapy explores individual and family education on the mental illness and/or substance abuse diagnosis to better understand how to deal with self-management of the illness. Support groups are available for the patient and some are designed for family members of the patient to identify their specific problems, education and experiences.

Brain Stimulation Therapy:

Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS), Vagus Nerve Stimulation (VNS), Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS), and Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) for therapy options when medication and therapy are not entirely effective brain stimulation therapy involves the utilization of electricity, magnets or implants to stimulate certain areas of the brain.

Other therapy options for mental illness in New Orleans include the following possibilities:

  • Complementary and Alternative Medicine
  • Holistic Therapy
  • Experimental Treatments

Man experiencing benefits of mental health treatment in New Orleans

Benefits of Receiving Mental Health Treatment in New Orleans

The benefits of receiving treatment for mental health in New Orleans can only begin with an evaluation from an experienced mental health professional performing an assessment and evaluation of the patient. Initially, the mental health professional will determine the intensity of the symptoms to determine if the situation is of emergent nature.During an assessment, the patient’s emotions, feelings, struggles with life situations, fears, anxieties and other physical symptoms are explored and noted.

The Diagnosis:

This program requires four hours per week for a total of twelve weeks. OP focuses on mental health care. As well, it offers individual and group therapy.

Medications:

Patients can receive relief from severe symptoms through medication management. Severe symptoms are a barrier in understanding, coping and building confidence in treatment options. Once symptoms have been managed; counseling, optional therapies and treatments can begin to allow personal growth and focus on recovery. While making the initial determination of the assessment for treatment of mental health in New Orleans, the mental health professional will consult with a medical doctor or psychiatrist to prescribe the correct medication.

Therapy:

Many forms of therapy available today stem from Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy, or CBT, and allow the patient to be educated about their disorder, identify individual causes, and how to self-maintain their illness. Learning triggers, techniques to self-soothe and positive coping mechanisms can allow those with mental illness the ability to live a normal life. Eating habits, sleep schedules and lifestyle choices have a major impact on mental health in New Orleans. Combined with medication management for severe symptoms, therapy is an essential tool for mental illness.

Recent holistic therapies have been found to be effective and pleasurable. Interactions with animals as well as group therapy with those experiencing similar illness allows for the development of a sense of empathy for others and improves self-esteem. Mental health in New Orleans is of great importance on a community level as well. Resources are available to lend additional opportunities for support and education.

Receive Help at Mental Health Facilities in New Orleans, LA

We encourage and invite those with mental illness in New Orleans to contact one of our mental health professionals to discuss your individual questions and concerns. Discussing your symptoms with our knowledgeable staff can be the starting point for your personal journey in obtaining mental wellness and a healthier lifestyle. Act on your positive impulses for help now and call our facility to speak with an advocate now! The team at Imagine Recovery is here for your needs and looks forward to creating a happier, stable future with the treatment of your mental illness and/or substance abuse disorder.

Visit our admissions page today to learn more about our mental health programs.

 

 

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  • I will NEVER forget you and Chris taking my hand and walking me through the hardest time in my life. Your words gave me hope when I needed it the most. I make 6 months this week!!”

    Catilin S.

     

    I can’t say enough how much Imagine has impacted my life. Being in a new city, I felt lucky and grateful that a place like Imagine was a familiarity and sort-of home base in my life for the first couple months – and I know it will always be there for me moving forward. It has not only helped me build a strong community and confidence as I start this new chapter of my life, but it also has given me tools to continue to succeed in whatever life throws at me.

    Sarah

  • Felicia & Chris,

    We are beyond grateful for what you have done for our son and our family. You caught a soul before he fell too far and redirected the course of his life. What we are learning about epigenetics is that you have not only impacted our son, but also his future children and their children. You are deeply impacting this world. You are both such inspirations to all those that are fortunate enough to know you.

    Parents of an Imagine alumni


    I’M SO GRATEFUL
    Hi everybody,
    To everyone in the Imagine Family, I wanted to thank all of you from the bottom of my heart. This truly was one of the greatest experiences of my life and I couldn’t have done it without each and every one of you. I promise to come back every now and again because I don’t want to lose touch with the people that changed my life for the better.
    From the bottom of my heart, thank you and with love,

    Anonymous male graduate, 24

  • I was sitting outside, enjoying the breeze, watching the trees sway and admiring the beautiful colors. For me, that is a stillness I was once uncomfortable being in. I must admit, I did not think I needed IOP at Imagine after completing a 30-day inpatient program. In fact, I felt I knew all the cliché sayings, read the material, had it thrown at me from every direction, and I would not gain anything from attending IOP post-inpatient treatment. Oh how wrong I was! While attending group meetings and one-on-ones, I gained so much insight, compassion and confidence. I learned to fully forgive, both myself and others. I am more patient when I used to be reactionary. The shell of a person I once considered myself is now humbly strong. And guess what – I like me. I could not have made these leaps without the guidance and suggestions I received at Imagine. I am beyond grateful to have y’all as part of my journey. Thank you so much for everything you do and everything you’ve allowed me to gain through your program. 

    Much Love Ladies 🙂

    S.E.
  • To the wonderful people of Imagine,

    Someone wise once told me that we should live our lives in a way that, when we pass, the most important words spoken about you will be “They made a difference.

    In the game of addiction, hope is hard to come by, the pain swallows people whole and the wounds can turn into an unimaginable cancer. If one can muster up enough strength and conviction, recovery is possible. But still, the process has to include the contrasting element to addiction, connection.

    At Imagine, Felicia, you’ve devoted your life to be a healer. You have provided the pace for connection – that is a crucial element in having a chance at conquering addiction. The wonderful staff are all as equally important as you are. Thank you all for your compassion. It is a breath of fresh air!

    I know I speak on behalf of many people when I say… Imagine is making a difference in this world!

    Thank you.

    TL 🙂
  • When I came through the doors of Imagine last year, I looked and felt like the “before” photo in a pet adoption advertisement: Sick, scared, confused, and probably not smelling all that great. I didn’t know exactly what I needed, only that I wanted a better life, a healthier, happier one. Soon after, I became Imagine Client #1. No pressure, right? After ten weeks of IOP and eight weeks of outpatient treatment, I felt as though I’d been born again. It’s not hard to see why Imagine has chosen a phoenix as its spirit animal and logo, a legendary mythical creature that is continuously born anew from its own ashes. And that’s precisely how I feel today, rebuilt from the charred remains of an unhealthy and fearful life, a new and better man, husband, brother, son, and (at least I hope) member of the human race. For the first time in a long time, I have peace, health, and hope, which are no small things. I am, and will always be, eternally grateful for those gifts.

    Scott G.

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